Domestic Engineer

Homemaker. That is my title. It seems like such a humble word when I fill it out on a medical form or legal paperwork. Or what about this one: Domestic Engineer. With a job title like that, I could presumably demand a salary making $30,000-$500,000 per year depending upon whose calculations you believe. But when it comes to the end of the day, no one is paying me a salary, and my financial net worth has suffered as a result of my decision to stay home and raise my children. Fortunately, we do not have to make of judgment of ourselves based on the standards of net worth. Our value is determined by God.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. – Genesis 1:27

We have been taught that to have real worth we must be productive, efficient, better, quicker, faster, and perfect. But what we really crave is order, peace and beauty. This yearning is often co-mingled with feelings of guilt, inadequacy, and frustration. We do not know how to meet the world’s standards and satisfy our inner cravings as well. Precious homemaker, when you desire order, peace and beauty, you are experiencing the manifestation of God’s image upon your heart.

The LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four rivers. The … first is Pishon; it flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. The gold of that land is good; the bdellium and the onyx stone are there. The …second river is Gihon; it flows around the whole land of Cush. The …third river is Tigris; it flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. -Genesis 2:8-14

A Bible teacher at my local church, Kristen Sauder, helped me see this verse in a whole new light! Do you see what God has done? God is the original homemaker. When you are working in your home and using logic and care to make sure the needs of your family are met, you are emulating God, the creator!

The Garden of Eden was also a place of beauty. He sculpted trees that were beautiful and practical. It is no wonder we love to decorate – that was the first thing God did! Can you imagine God walking along the garden and determining the perfect placement for each tree, each flower, and its water source?

Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.- Genesis 2:15

Once God planned the ultimate garden, he did not send everyone away to gaze upon it from afar. He placed his family right in the middle of it and gave them responsibility for its care. If you homeschool your children, they are right in the middle of your home all day long! When you are delegating and teaching your children how to care for themselves and their property, you are walking in the footsteps of Our Father.

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a helper suitable for him.”

So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. -Genesis 2:18, 21-22

What a creative God! He saw a problem. He took the resources available and made something pretty spectacular out of it. He took a rib and made a woman! My husband jokes that he can look through the freezer and pantry and think, “There is nothing for dinner.” I can go into the same kitchen and use the same ingredients make a big, tasty meal to feed a hungry family. That is God’s image stamped upon my heart. I can take what I have and make something better out of it. You can, too.

These skills you are honing and growing as a homemaker all serve to help you develop yourself more fully into the woman that God has made you to be. It really does not matter what title we give our humble job of homemaking. It won’t matter if you call yourself a Domestic Engineer and estimate a six-digit salary. What matters is that you were created deliberately and carefully by the God of the universe and he loves you. He loves the family resemblance. Praise Him for it, and seek ways to continue growing in His likeness!

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. Galatians 6:9

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2 Comments

Lesa Dillard
on July 16, 2008 at 9:39 am

“I stand amazed in the presence…” The text of this old hymn popped into my mind as I thought about my response to this article. I have never responded to ANY type of entry on a website. I have to tell you that it truly is amazing how the Lord is using your article to satisfy the desires of my heart. Because of your obedience to His call on your life, I feel better prepared to meet His call on my life. Thank you so much.

NATASHA
on September 11, 2012 at 12:35 am

I REALLY NEEDED TO READ THIS; ESPECIALLY TODAY. I HAVE AND STILL DO AT TIMES FEEL LIKE ALL I AM IS A MAID AND IT FRUSTRATED ME. WHILE COMING HOME FROM A WALK AND PICKING APPLES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WITH MY CHILDREN TODAY I SAW SOMETHING I HAD NOT SEEN BEFORE. GOD GAVE ME INSIGHT INTO WHAT I WAS MISSING. HE SAID “SHOW UP EVERYDAY READY FOR WORK LIKE YOU’RE COMMUTING TO YOUR OFFICE.” HOMEMAKERS ARE BEAUTIFUL AND FROM NOW ON MY IMAGE WILL REFLECT THAT. THANKS FOR CONFIRMING GOD’S ENCOURAGEMENT.
~NATASHA